Firearms Estate of Respected Collector Drives Bidding Interest

April 30, May 1 & 2, 2010. Rock Island Auction started the year strong with its first premiere sale of 2010 attaining over $7.6 million! Bringing the yearly total over $10 million!

While dazzling stories of shockingly high prices excite many readers, this auction held much that will encourage the majority of firearms collectors. Prices set not by high auction house reserves but competing collectors proved that mid-range items are valuable for firearms collectors.

The main draw of the auction was no surprise, C. W. Slagle’s unique derringers, palm pistols and curio type firearms. Well known in the firearms world as a collector of the unusual, the antique derringer and curio type weapons in this auction drew bidding attention.

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An exquisite one of a kind custom engraved gold and nickel plated Winchester model 1873 lever action rifle with carved ivory stock and forearm relief realized $40,250; while $28,750 took home an outstanding rare deluxe special order Winchester 1873 lever action rifle in rare 22 short with a factory mounted Winchester A5 scope.

Several outstanding 1866’s were sold including an exceptional Winchester model 1886 lever action rifle with casehardened receiver and factory letter bringing $25,875.

During the three day sale other genres also brought impressive prices. Colts were vastly represented with over 650 in this auction. The high seller was a magnificent Gustave Young factory engraved, J.P. Lower shipped Colt model 1878 sheriff model double action revolver with factory letter that went near the high estimate at $46,000.

Other examples are an exceptional Colt Bisley frontier six shooter flattop target revolver with factory letter and a scarce 44 rimfire black powder Colt single action army revolver with factory letter attaining $25,875 and $18,400.

Rock Island Auction proves that it is the auction house for buying and selling all military genres. Beginning with the Civil War, an excellent unissued condition Burnside carbine sold for $9,775 while a rare Confederate Richmond marked percussion carbine with an original sling sold for $8,625.

Moving on to WWI & WWII brought sniper rifles, edged weapons and semi-automatic pistols. Of the 1911’s and early automatics most sold at or above estimate, the leader being a rare WWII Singer contract U.S. M1911A1 semi-automatic pistol with parkerized finish reaching $34,500.

An extremely rare U.S. army first contract Colt model 1900 automatic pistol serial number 93 with holster estimated at $25,000 – 37,500 sold above at $43,125. A rare Savage trial military model 1907 semi-automatic pistol went out at $31,625. An excellent and rare Nazi WWII Luftwaffe model 30 survival drilling with original case and accessories drew bids to $20,700 and rare WWII German "bnz" single claw sniper rifle with Hensoldt scope sold at $8,625.

The rare and beautiful military presentation swords featured an inscribed, 2nd pattern, Luftwaffe general officer’s sword which sold for $12,650. This section also included 12 Class III items, $12,650 was paid for a transferable late production U.S. Army contract fully automatic "M2" inland carbine with ATF registration papers.

An outstanding array of sporting arms boasted a custom order Luciano Bosis over and under shotgun with gold inlay selling at $43,125 while an extremely rare engraved Parker Brothers model AH double barrel box lock shotgun in 28 gauge took $34,500.

The sporting rifles in general did well lead by a royal pair of exquisite custom built and engraved, gold inlaid Winchester pre-64 model 70 bolt action rifles owned by prince Abdorreza Pahlavi imperial highness of Iran with a low estimate of $45,000 commanded $51,750.

A rare collector’s set of twenty Browning shotguns and rifles that feature the same collector number (00109) prefix in the serial number stole bidding interest garnering $25,875 and a factory engraved Belgium Browning Pointer Grade B25 superposed shotgun with original box reached $10,925.

The April Premiere Auction was a success, combining an impressive sell through rate and sales over $7.6 million. With Rock Island’s yearly sales reaching over $10 million and an impressive 97% plus sell through rate year to date it is again on track to be the #1 auction house in the world in dollars of guns sold as well as number of guns sold. The market continues to show high quality items at attainable prices thus satisfying both buyers and sellers, a goal for any auction house.

Join RIAC for their upcoming auction: the next Premiere Auction will be held September 10, 11 & 12. This auction will feature one of the finest European military collections to ever come to auction. Rock Island Auction Company is currently seeking consignments. Consign one piece or an entire collection and know that you are consigning with the best.

For more information on selling at auction contact Pat Hogan or Judy Voss at 800-238-8022.